Matt D

Contender

Traffic Police Officer

Matthew has seen enough episodes of Survivor to know that being honest is not always the way to win. So he is going to do his best to keep secret the fact his occupation back in Brisbane is a policeman.  
“People will either love me or hate me, there won’t be a middle. I feel I’ll probably be perceived as a villain but I think once I make the final two, people will realise I just stood up for myself the entire way and didn’t let anyone get the better of me.
“I want to prove to myself I have the ability to outwit people. I’ve always believed I am one step ahead of people when coming up with a plan to win and Survivor will be the best place to find out how good I really am.”

Raised by a single mum, Matthew says she is one of his biggest influences and who he wants to make proud saying, “She taught me when times get tough, you dig deeper until you win. It’s easy to get up and leave but you don’t get rewarded at the end. I prefer to win!”

As a traffic police officer, he’s also ready to take on anyone who has a go at him saying that he has arguments daily with people he gives tickets to and admits, nobody likes a traffic cop.
A lover of travel, Matthew has spent 7 months living in Africa and travelling to 77 countries around the world, which he thinks will also help him win the game saying, “Most of the places I have visited are in third world countries where most people wouldn’t consider going to. The 77 countries I’ve been to aren’t the tourist traps like Europe, that’s too easy and I don’t do easy.”

Zach

Contender

Personal Trainer

Now working as a personal trainer, Zach first came to the attention of Australia as Hunter on the family entertainment television show, Gladiators.  
Zach hopes his fellow castaways will think he’s all brawn and no brain giving him an inside edge to win the title of sole survivor.
“I’m a huge fan of the show, just like I was of Gladiators. All I wanted to be was a Gladiator. Did that. Now all I want to do is be a Survivor. As a hyper competitive individual, I relish the challenge and it’s the bragging rights of being Australia’s lone survivor. I love to compete and this game is the pinnacle.
“I am constantly being asked to try out for shows like this but I’ve never been interested except for Survivor. I’m going to be doing it for my family, friends and fans.”

When he’s not watching Survivor with his wife, Zach is the captain of Australia’s number one paintball team which he built and recruited by himself. 
Although he feels he has the physical side sorted, Zach also thinks he has the mental ability to take on his fellow castaways saying, “I know how to make people feel good about themselves and to believe in the process. I think most people see fitness guys as big dumb idiots but I want to play smart.”

Sharn

Champion

Criminal Barrister

If anyone can claim to be ready to address their tribemates in the final Jury, it would be Criminal Barrister Sharn.
Her daily life sees her addressing juries in criminal trials and is known in her industry as being one of the best. As one of the top female prosecutors in the country, Sharn can’t wait to get in front of the Survivor Jury.
“I think the skills I have developed in my professional life will translate well in this environment. I would be obviously thrilled to get to the Jury and address my fellow tribemates because I really think that’s where I’ll shine. Proving my case is what I do every day.”
A mum of four children under the age of 14, Sharn also fundraises for various charities by running marathons. In the past eight years, she has run the Noosa Triathlon and raised over $50k in doing so. Not one to sit idly, Sharn is up at 4am most mornings running, cycling or doing pilates before getting her kids ready for school.
“I balance family life with a demanding career. I’m a mum to four kids and have had a successful career to date. I was one of the youngest barristers admitted to practice in Queensland at 22 and in Victoria at 23. I raise money for charities and I always give my best.
“I may be classified as a champion in this game and I’m sure these contenders will give us a run for our money and probably make me look bad. But I’m a huge Survivor fan, I love the concept and I love the challenge. I had never applied before now but I’m there to play the ultimate game and do my best to win it.”

Shonee

Contender

Pro-Skater's Wife

From partying with The Rolling Stones to holidays in Paris, Shonee is not the typical Survivor player.
Married to a famous pro-skater, Shonee spends her life between London and Noosa where she is an HR assistant. With her husband Ben’s success as a skater, Shonee is very keen to step out of his shadow and show the world what she’s got. 
“My husband’s achievements are endless so this is my chance to shine and do something super cool for myself and contribute to our lives. I may just be a wife but I 100% believe I can outwit, outplay and outlast anyone you put me up against.
“My life doesn’t allow me to have a traditional job so this is my chance to do something amazing and really shine! People are constantly talking to me about my husband’s achievements, I want them to speak about mine.”
Admitting she’s very stubborn but loyal and fun, Shonee may not be used to the rough conditions Survivor will bring but she believes she can handle it once she’s there. 
Shonee thinks her strengths will come from the social game saying, “I already know I have a great social game and I can persuade people to give me what I want.
“I will be the best sole survivor because I am basically just a professional athlete’s wife so when the other contestants hear this, I think they’ll disregard me as a threat and that’s when I will go in for the kill.”

Monika

Champion

Miss Universe Australia 2015

Crowned Miss Universe Australia in 2015, Monika Radulovic is out to prove she’s more than just a beauty queen when she joins Australian Survivor: Champions Versus Contenders.
Putting her successful modelling career on hold to join to the tribe of Champions, Monika is going to use her profession to her advantage on the island and hide the fact that she has also completed a Psychology degree. 

On her Survivor game plan, Monika said: “I want to go on Survivor to show Australia that I am so much more than what meets the eye. People probably think I’d just be a beauty because of what I do, but I have brains too and I can’t wait to show everyone.”

Paige

Contender

Marketing Coordinator

A huge fan of Survivor, Paige believes her career in Marketing has provided her with the skills of discipline, attention to detail and a strong and passionate drive which will play out on the island. 
“I am an absolute Survivor lover. I grew up watching Jeff and thinking that the people on Survivor were warriors! They seemed so strong and powerful and I know I can be that. I can be a warrior. It’s always been a dream of mine and I know I have all the skills to be on it and I want to put that to the test.”
Her boyfriend Daniel is her biggest supporter and is thrilled she made the cut saying, “He couldn’t be more excited. He definitely thinks it would be amazing but mostly he just wants me to stop talking about it all the time.”
Paige admits that being around negative or passive players will start to drive her crazy especially if they don’t pull their weight. She believes she’s very good at staying positive and making the best out of a bad situation but thinks her bad poker face might get her in to trouble if she doesn’t agree with someone.
She’s been getting ready for the physical side of things by hitting up the gym, swimming and hiking. 
If she does win, Paige has plans to take her family on some overseas holidays and to set her up for a few years to follow her dreams and pursue her career passions without hesitation.
Despite her drive to win, there’s also one more thing Paige hopes to tick off her Survivor bucket list.

“I want to meet Jonathan LaPaglia and see those arms in real life!”

Lydia

Champion

Winter Olympic Champion

Winter Olympic Champion, Lydia will be swapping the mountains for the tropics when she joins the Champions tribe on Australian Survivor: Champions Versus Contenders. Five-time Winter Olympic aerial skier and dual Olympic medal winner, Lydia will be channelling her trademark determination into surviving 50 days in one of the hardest games on Earth. As a mother of two, Lydia is sacrificing a lot at home to see if she has what it takes to outwit, outplay and outlast the others on her quest to become the Sole Survivor. 

Jackie

Champion

Poker Player

Joining the tribe of Champions is World Series Poker Player, Jackie. Jackie has made a living out of reading people’s body language and keeping her cards close to her chest but now her poker face is about to be put to the ultimate test.

Benji

Contender

Entrepreneur

Joining the Contender tribe is fellow Victorian, Benji. As an Entrepreneur and self-made millionaire, Benji is used to hustling in order to get what he wants. Benji is going into the game happy to be a villain when needed.  

Fenella

Contender

Interior Designer 

Interior Designer Fenella may not look like the average Survivor contestant, but she is here to prove that personality is everything. A character through and through, she is going to do whatever it takes to stay in the game and show the champions that a contender can take it out.

Steve a.k.a The Commando

Champion

Fitness Specialist

Fitness Specialist Steve W, fondly known to Australian television audiences as the Commando, will face his biggest challenge when he becomes a castaway on Australian Survivor: Champions Versus Contenders. The country first came to know Steve as a stern fitness trainer on TEN’s family entertainment show, The Biggest Loser. Now the shoe is firmly on the other foot as Steve’s body and mind are pushed to their absolute limits in the tropical climes of Savusavu. Joining the tribe of Champions, the former special forces officer will have to have to call on his years of experience in the army and as a trainer in order to outwit, outplay and outlast the 23 other competitors.

Brian

Champion

Former AFL Star

An AFL legend, Brian played with the Western Bulldogs for 10 years before moving to Hawthorn where he won three premierships and the Norm Smith medal. Known for his size and strength, Brian was often referred to as a ‘defensive monster,’ but only time will tell if his skills come in handy in his new role as a Survivor castaway. Melbourne based Brian knows Australian Survivor isn’t going to be easy but is feeling confident that he’ll be able to handle everything the show throws at him.

Heath

Contender

Builder

Measuring at over 7ft tall, Queensland builder and Contender tribemate, Heath is looking to make a huge mark on the game. A proud husband and father to two girls, Heath is the ultimate gentle giant in his day-to-day life, but once he arrives on the island he is playing to win. Heath doesn't like to go against his morals, but is willing to do what he needs to in order to get further in the game. A huge Survivor fan, Heath believes his mental strength and his height will prove to be his greatest advantage against the other players. 

Steve K

Contender 

Take Away Delivery Rider

One of the biggest characters to hit the island, Steve lives by the motto, ‘comfort is a wonderful place to be in, but you never grow there.’ He lives a diverse life and has had a varied career as a sustainability consultant but has since taken a break from his career and is now working as a takeaway delivery rider because he enjoys the look on people’s faces when their food is delivered. 

Anita

Contender  

Sales Rep 

Recently celebrating her 50th birthday, Anita is a sales rep and mum of four who is determined to prove to the younger generation she can keep up with anything they throw at her. A Survivor Superfan, getting a place among the castaways was on Anita’s bucket list. Now she’s out to make her family and friends proud and to show them that anything’s possible if you put your mind to it. 

Samuel

Champion

Astrophysicist

At the age of 26, Sam is already a top astrophysicist, a robotics and software engineer and an astronomer who has won the Bok Prize, a prestigious award for Australian masters students. Sam is currently completing his Doctorate of Philosophy and has had 16 academic works published. He’s been invited to universities around the world to lecture and has been impressing professional industry leaders at each destination. 

Tegan

Contender 

Management Consulting 

Even though Tegan’s hometown of Broome is quite isolated, this WA mum of two is well-travelled including riding down Bolivia’s Death Road as one of her most memorable adventures. An experienced camper and fisherwoman, Tegan is looking forward to pushing her outdoor skills to the next level with building shelter and starting fires from scratch. 

Robbie

Contender

Construction Manager

Robbie has been determined from a young age, competing at a national level in swimming on top of completing his studies. Since jumping out of the pool, Robbie held down three jobs while completing his Masters in Architecture and has now progressed to Construction Manager after years of putting in the hard work and long hours. 

Jenna

Contender 

FIFO Supervisor  

Working as a supervisor in the mines in Western Australia for the past six years, Jenna happily embraces adventure. An active NFL and AFL player, Jenna is a typical outdoors girl tearing around the bush on her motorbike or wakeboarding. Besides her passions outdoors, Jenna is also a proud mum and counts her daughter as her greatest motivation to achieve.  

Shane

Champion 

Swimming World Record Holder 

An Australian legend in the swimming pool, Shane is sporting royalty and one of the world’s greatest female swimmers. Between 1971 and 1973, she broke 11 world records in six different events and is the only woman ever to win five individual Olympic medals. Controversially retiring at the age of 17 and at the height of her success, Shane has gone onto raise four children, earn two degrees from the University of Tasmania, become an author and a passionate photographer. 

Moana

Champion 

AFLW Marquee Player

A celebrated and powerhouse player for Women’s Aussie Rules Football, Moana made a name for herself on the field as one of the leading goal kickers in the league. An accomplished junior sportswoman, Moana represented Victoria in cricket and Australian Rules, but decided to give up the summer sport in order to concentrate on footy. One of 14 kids, Moana’s family means everything to her. She is the primary carer for her younger sister, Lavinia, who suffers from Moebius Syndrome, a rare neurological condition. 

Mat R

Champion 

Dual Code Rugby International 

Mat Rogers originally made his mark on rugby league as a standout player for the Cronulla Sharks for six years. After success representing Queensland and Australia, Mat changed codes to Rugby Union in 2001 where he went on to represent Australia with the Wallabies in 45 test matches. In 2007, Mat returned to league to play for the new Gold Coast Titans before retiring from sport in 2011. Mat now devotes his time to another passion – raising money and awareness for children with autism via his foundation, 4 ASD. 

Damien

Champion

Ex Special Forces Commando

Damien is an Australian Veteran from the war in Afghanistan where in 2009, an explosion resulted in him losing both legs and suffer other extensive damage to his body. His commitment to recovery and rehabilitation saw him master the use of his prosthetic legs and go on to compete in two Invictus Games in wheelchair basketball, walk the Kokoda Track and compete in numerous sporting competitions. Damien is also a best-selling author, actor and motivational speaker.